Mullai Periyar Dam Row: Obey Supreme Court Order – Jaya Tells Karunanidhi

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Supremo and former Chief Minister Ms J Jayalalithaa on Monday advised the the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi to obey the Supreme Court order to constitute a commission to study the Mullai Periyar Dam's strength and appoint an expert into it.

In a Statement, Jayalalithaa termed. Karunanidhi’s refusal to nominate a representative to the committee as “improper”, saying the decision could affect the State’s prospects.

Ms. Jayalalithaa further said that in the absence of its representative on the panel constituted by the Supreme Court, Tamil Nadu’s case might not be highlighted, hence letting Kerala, with which the State is locked in a row on the dam issue, getting the report in its favour.

“In that case, would not the Supreme Court be in a position to deliver a verdict against Tamil Nadu? If so, should not the Supreme Court be approached again which could lead to more delay?” she added.

The Supreme Court has appointed a five-member committee, headed by former Chief Justice A.S. Anand, to look into the safety aspects of the dam which is more than a century old.

She said that it was “improper” on the part of Mr. Karunanidhi to make the announcement without considering various factors and charged the DMK chief with “compromising” Tamil Nadu’s rights.

She demanded that the State appoint its member to the committee to “reflect” and uphold its rights.

On Saturday, Mr. Karunanidhi had said that it was repeatedly proved that the dam was safe and to drive home this fact, the State would not nominate its representative to the committee.

Tamil Nadu is opposed to a new dam saying repairs to the existing structure would do, while Kerala insists that the dam is unsafe and poses threat to people living downstream.

Vaiko Meets Jaya

Meanwhile, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko met Jayalalithaa in her poes garden resident and discussed about the present political situation in the state. In a hour long meeting, both the leaders interacted about several issues including the Pennagaram assembly constituency by election, MullaiPeriyar Dam issue and huge price rise, reliable source said.

- Asian Tribune -